Volume 4 QUINCY ARCHER HATES YOU

"We attract each other.
Like drops of water. Like planets.
We repel each other.
Like magnets. Like opposite colors."

26. Paradise is Nowhere
27. Spirits Ain't Always WITH US
28. Symptom of Synesthesia
29. Stop That Stupid!!
30. Second Contact(it was outside the scope of our understanding)
31. HEROES CAN SAVE YOU
32. Hero is Always With Me?
33. ROCKIN' FUTURE 7
34. Quincy Archer Hates You
    
    Extra: Kon's Profile

Author's Comments

I moved. My phone number changed. It's now a very good number. But for some reason I get a ton of wrong numbers. Among them the most surprising ones were "Is this the 00 Embassy?" and a phone call from a foreigner who talked on and on in fast Russian (probably). Well, I guess since it's interesting I don't mind.

General Overview

This volume begins with a one chapter story about Kon trying to run away because of Ichigo and Rukia treat him so badly, but ends up having a horrible time and then finally returning home again, only to get abused even more there.

Next we're introduced to Misao "Don" Kanonji, a TV psychic on the very popular program "Ghost Bust". Since the show is holding a special at an abandoned hospital in Karakura Ichigo gets dragged their by his friends, Isshin, and Yuzu, who all love the show, even if Ichigo hates it. Rukia comes just for the heck of it, she doesn't understand at all what it's about (she thinks it's a sort of festival).

At the abandoned hospital Don Kanonji manages to change an earth-bound spirit into a hollow because Ichigo and Rukia get caught up by the security guards until it's too late. In fact it's only thanks to Kisuke Urahara that Ichigo is able to change to a shinigami at all. Ichigo has a lot of trouble taking care of this hollow because he also has to protect the interfering Don Kaonji, who has no idea what hollow is although he can see both them and shinigami. After a lot of struggling, though, hollow is taken care of and Don Kanonji is finally made to understand what it is. During this we find out that Karin and Orihime Inoue can both see Ichigo clearly as a shinigami, while Tatsuki Arisawa and Yasutora "Chad" Sado can see a blur where he is.

After this incident, Rukia's denreishinki, the device that lets her know the time and location a hollow will appear, appears to be broken because it keeps giving a lot of false alarms. But it turns out it's not so much that they're false alarms as one of Ichigo's classmates, Uryuu Ishida, who also happens to be a quincy, is shooting the hollows before Ichigo can get there. When Uryuu finally introduces himself, he also states quite plainly that he hates shinigami.

In Depth Chapter Summaries

26. Paradise is Nowhere
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 15
    Characters Appearing - Tatsuki Arisawa, Chizuru Honsho, Orihime Inoue, Kon, Rukia Kuchiki, Ryou Kunieda, Ichigo Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Michiru Ogawa, Yasutora "Chad" Sado
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura, Karakura Park, Kurosaki Clinic
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - Karakura High, Karin Kurosaki

    This volume begins with Kon talking about his current situation. He says his name stands for King of NY (but was just joking) and that although he is a plushie, he has the heart of a lion. But currently he's in big trouble. As he explains this we see Yuzu has found him while vaccuuming. She wonders if he belongs to Karin and decides to wash him because he is filthy. Anyway, Kon starts explaining how he got in this predicament. The title page shows Kon wearing a cape with a guy in armor (complete with feathers on the top of the helmet) wielding a sword in the background.

    It all began this morning (Sunday) at 10:05AM in Ichigo's room. Since Kon is filthy, Ichigo has the window open and is beating Kon against the outside wall to clean him. Of course Kon doesn't like it and is screaming that there are other ways to clean him, but Ichigo doesn't listen and keeps beating. Then Rukia tells Ichigo to stop, saying she has something they can use to clean Kon. Kon is very grateful... until Rukia produces a toilet brush and starts scrubbing Kon's face with it. When Ichigo asks, Rukia explains that she "borrowed" it from school and Ichigo tells her to take it back. Rukia thinks Ichigo's strict, but he just doesn't want a dirty toilet brush in his room. Kon, totally angry at their treatment of him, decides to leave and travel the world in search of a person that will hold him gently where he can belong.

    Next we see Kon walking down the street wondering how he should go about this. Just then he runs across Orihime in Karakura Park and decides she'll be his first target because of her endowed chest. His plan is simple: just run in front of her and act like a stuffed doll. Unfortunately he's smacked by a soccer ball that Tatsuki kicked at Orihime. Orihime then hits it out of the park with a baseball bat. It turns out the two of them are playing a baseball/soccer blend game Orihime has dubbed Basccer.

    We next see Kon stumbling down a street, grumbling he forgot to take into account Orihime's flakiness. He then notices Chizuru, Ryou, and Michiru walking towards him (but doesn't remember their names because they have flat chests). He quickly plays stuffed animal, hoping one of them will pick them up and take him home and take a bath with him to clean him off. It seems to work because both Ryou and Michiru notice him. Unfortunately for him, as Michiru is commenting that he's a cute stuffed animal, Ryou calls him a filthy stuffed animal and intentionally steps on him, making Kon grunt in pain. Even more unfortunately they noticed that Kon spoke. Chizuru has a wild look in her eyes as she starts planning to sell him to TV. Kon makes a run for it and Chizuru says to chase him, but Ryou tells her she'll handle it. It turns out she's not only a model student, but a 1st year track star that can do 100 meters in 12 seconds flat. As Kon is running he passes by Chad at an intersection and Chad joins Ryou in chasing Kon because Chad is crazy about cute things. Somehow Kon manages to escape from them and returns to Kurosaki Clinic.

    However, he didn't feel like going back into Ichigo's room, so he went into another room, where he passed out. And that's where Yuzu found him. It turns out that Yuzu decides to take a bath with Kon to clean him up, just what he wanted. She even uses a hair dryer to dry him off. Kon thinks that this is just what he was looking for and would be perfect if only she had big breasts. But things start going sour when Yuzu decides to dress him up in a baby outfit and puts him with her other bizarre-looking plushies. Yuzu thinks the outfit looks good on Kon, but Kon doesn't, and she calls the other plushies his mother and father. While Kon is trying to figure out why his "parents" are naked while he isn't, and which one is the mother, Yuzu names him Boss Tuff, which turns out to be the only aggressive name since the other plushies are Melon and Cookie. She then glues a flower to his right ear with superglue.

    Later Ichigo is walking down the hallway with a towel, when Kon, still in that getup, come screeching down the hallway. Kon apologizes for running away and Ichigo thinks he was wondering where Kon had gotten to. He then wonders what's up with the weird clothes and why he came out of closet when he ran away from home. Then Rukia comes out of Ichigo's room, asking what's with all the noise. Kon thinks this is where he belongs and that Rukia and Ichigo are just bad at expressing their feelings. But then Ichigo starts trying to tug the flower off Kon's ear and Rukia says his ear will probably come off. Kon is screaming in pain.

    The next day Yuzu has discovered "Boss Tuff" is gone.

    Differences in the TV episode 15:

    • The contents of this chapter was moved later in the anime and interspersed with the contents of chapter 51.
    • In the anime this occurs on a school day.
    • The part with Yuzu dressing Kon up in a dress actually starts the running away sequence (Ichigo and Rukia are unsympathetic to his situation).
    • Ichigo does not actually rip the flower glued to Kon's ear off, and it remains there most of the episode.
    • Kon getting chased happens before getting hit by the soccer ball.
    • Chizuru is not with Ryou and Michiru.
    • Chad chasing Kon is omitted.
    • There's an extra sequence with Ichigo, Mizuiru, and Keigo cleaning up Physical Education equipment while Inoue and Tatsuki are playing their baseball/soccer game.
    • There's an extra scene added where Kon goes to Urahara's Store. He sees Yoruichi Shihouin the cat and farts at it. Then he climbs in the store and plays being a stuffed animal when he realizes Ururu Tsumugiya and Jinta Hanakari are there. However, they claim they know he's a mod soul from the cat and then grab him.
    • Kon reveals he tried to run away to Ichigo and Rukia outside of the school. He's all torn up, dirty, and has meat written on his head (because of what Ururu and Jinta did to him).
    • Rukia and Ichigo bring Kon to the character Uryuu Ishida (a character introduced later in this manga volume but was already introduced in the anime because this chapter was moved), who is a known sewing whiz. After some baiting from Ichigo, not only does Ishida fix up Kon, he dresses him in a Marie Antoinette-style dress complete with a wig of curly hair. Kon kicks Ishida in the head as he brags about it, and Rukia and Ichigo sneak out as this is going on.
27. Spirits Ain't Always WITH US
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 10
    Characters Appearing - Tatsuki Arisawa, Keigo Asano, Orihime Inoue, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Mizuiro Kojima, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Yasutora "Chad" Sado
    Kidou - None
    Locations - abandoned hospital, Karakura High, Kurosaki Clinic
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - earth-bound spirit, hollow, "Ghost Bust", Naruki, shinigami, Soul Society

    This chapter begins with Ichigo thinking how he hates any sort of trade where someone makes money off something others can't see, such as Feng Shui, fortune telling, and psychics, even if his horoscope said this week would be bad and he tripped 3 times for no reason, broke his shoelaces twice, and lost his wallet once that week. He also hates the psychic show "Journey to Bust Ghosts on Hallowed Ground" or "Ghost Bust" for short (airing Wednesdays at 8PM) starring Don Kanonji, although Yuzu and Isshin love it and in general it's very popular at the moment. We then see Chad, Mizuiro, and Keigo (and possibly Ichigo since all we see of that person is their butt) graffiting a wall with spray paint.

    Ichigo then goes on to explain that Don Kanonji, "the charismatic spirit medium of the new century," is more popular than idols among high school girls and his show has over 25% viewer ratings. He often says "Smells like bad spirits," which is his tagline, and is known for a weird laugh he does while crossing his arms across his chest. Yuzu happens to like him because she'd like to be able see ghosts. Karin, on the other hand, has no interest in it because she can see ghosts almost as well as Ichigo. Ichigo thinks that she was the only one who could see the hollow earlier, and then realizes she might be able to see shinigami as well. But that line of thought is interrupted when Yuzu shouts because next week the show will be held at an abandoned hospital in Karakura

    The next day Ichigo is greeted by Inoue doing Don Kanonji's trademark laugh and pose. She's trying to get Ichigo to do it with her, but Tatsuki shows up and quickly ushers Orihime away, knowing that Ichigo hates that stuff. Ichigo then thinks that because older people don't watch shows like "Ghost Bust" with a 25% viewer rating an insane amount of the viewers are younger people. He's then greeted by Mizuiro, Keigo, and Chad, all doing the trademark pose and laugh as well (except Chad doesn't laugh). Later outside Ichigo announces he's not going and Keigo asks how could he not go when a popular show is in their hometown. Ichigo retorts that Keigo lives in Naruki anyway and is only pretending he's from Karakura because of the show. Keigo then says he's invited Rukia to the show and she greets Ichigo. When Keigo tells Rukia to do the laugh and pose and she retorts that she's too shy, Ichigo thinks she's starting to add variations to her acts. Orihime starts worrying that Ichigo won't go to the show, but Tatsuki says it's ok and that Ichigo will go.

    Next Wednesday at 7:31PM you see all of them there at the show. Inoue, Mizuiro, Chad, and Keigo are all doing the pose, but Rukia at least seems happy about being there. Ichigo and Tatsuki seem annoyed, though. We next see Ichigo, looking dejected with Yuzu and Isshin doing the pose and laugh. Karin is looking away. Keigo and Mizuiro point out that he came and Ichigo says he'll kill them if they tell anyone. Inoue then apologizes about earlier, saying she didn't realize he hates that kind of thing until Tatsuki told her later. Ichigo says it's ok because Mizuiro and Keigo DO know but they still try to get him to come and do the pose. He then explains he came because Yuzu and Isshin love the show and they'd look pitiful just by themselves. Inoue comments that Ichigo is kind and he says it's just normal and Inoue agrees. After that people begin gathering for the show and Rukia says he looks down. When he turns around, he sees her doing the pose and she starts bugging him about why he bothered to come if he's not going to enjoy it. She then says he ought to take the time to relax since he's had a hard time balancing schoolwork and shinigami work lately. Ichigo's touched that she's worrying about his health, until she asks what the festival's about. She doesn't get it even after Ichigo tries to explain, though. Ichigo then asks her if there's really a spirit in the hospital and Rukia asks why he asked. He tells her that having a spirit is standard for the show, but if there was one a shinigami should have taken care of it. But Rukia replies that isn't necessarily the case. In these sorts of places there are usually earth-bound spirits, which are assimiliated with the land so Soul Society rarely notices them. The only time they appear is when a human steps on their ground. Just then the TV people start setting up lights around the building and Ichigo hears a howl.

    The last page shows Isshin commenting on his hideous outfit.

    Differences in episode 10:

    • Nothing!
28. Symptom of Synesthesia
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 10
    Characters Appearing - Keigo Asano, Mizuiro Kojima, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Yasutora "Chad" Sado
    Kidou - None
    Locations - abandoned hospital
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - chain of fate, earth-bound spirit, "Ghost Bust", hollow, obsessed spirit, plus, soul burial

    This chapter opens with Keigo again doing Don Kanonji's horrible "Ghost Bust" pose and laugh. Surprisingly, Mizuiro tells him to stop because Ichigo and the others have left to find better positions and there's no point in doing that without Ichigo around. Keigo's upset because he had been hoping everyone would watch together, so he tries to force Mizuiro to do the pose. Just then they spot pretty ladies and Keigo says for Mizuiro to do the pose anyway and things will be fine, trying to impress the girls. But he gets outdone when Mizuiro turns on his charm and says that pose is embarassing and he doesn't even know how to do it. The girls drag Mizuiro off and offer him anything to be able to teach him the pose. Poor Keigo lies on the ground crying until Chad shows up and asks Keigo if he can hear a strange voice. Keigo says he can't and Chad says it must be his imagination. We then see the title page, this time of Keigo and Mizuiro bundled up in winter coats and scarves out for a night on the town.

    Meanwhile, Ichigo asks Rukia what that voice is and she says it's an earth-bound spirit. Ichigo says it sounds like a hollow's voice and Rukia explains it's a plus that's degenerating into a hollow. We then see a spirit chained to the hospital: the earth-bound spirit.

    Ichigo's not the only one to hear, it though. Karin also hears it, and feels a bit sick, but when Isshin asks her what's wrong, she tells him nothing, although she wishes she hadn't come. She begins to wonder if she should go home when she realizes Ichigo isn't around anymore.

    Tatsuki also hears the voice and wonders what it is when Orihime grabs her shirt sleeve. It's obvious Orihime can hear it too.

    Back with Ichigo, he realizes that although it feels like a hollow, it isn't one because it doesn't have a white mask or a hole in its chest. Rukia confirms this, saying that hole is evidence that the hollow is nothing but instincts while the skull-like mask protects those instincts from the outside world. When a person dies, their chain of fate, which grew out of their heart, disconnects from their body. Souls without regrets stay as is and wait for a shinigami to come. Souls with regrets are tied to something, a person or object, by their chain of fate. If it's a person the spirit is called an "obsessed spirit" and if it's an place, the spirit is called an "earth-bound spirit". It turns out the reason this particular spirit regrets the hospital is his old man passed it on to his younger brother instead of him. The spirit had plans to use the hospital to become rich.

    Soon after the TV people announce the show is about to begin. After a countdown to airtime and an introduction by an announcer, Don Kanonji makes a flashy entrance by parachuting to the ground. Ichigo isn't impressed, but Rukia is having a good time and Ichigo gets mad at her. He then asks if it's ok not to give that earth-bound spirit a soul burial because otherwise it will become a hollow. Rukia says it's ok because it takes months or years for someone to become a hollow. They'll come back later after the crowds are gone and do it. When Ichigo protests she adds that a spirit experiences extreme pain and suffering when it becomes a hollow. Since this spirit is not at that point yet, things should be ok unless someone aggravates the forming hole in its chest. Just then Don Kanonji approaches the spirit and announces he'll finish it off with one blow of his "Spirit Stick." He then proceeds to prod the spirit's forming hole with his staff.

    The last thing we see is Mizuiro sitting between the two girls, thinking that they're the ones who will be doing the embarassing poses, not him.

    Differences in episode 10:

    • Nothing!
29. Stop That Stupid!!
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 10
    Characters Appearing - Tatsuki Arisawa, Keigo Asano, Jinta Hanakari, Chizuru Honsho, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Mizuiro Kojima, Rukia Kuchiki, Ryou Kunieda, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Misato Ochi, Tessai Tsukabishi, Ururu Tsumugiya, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - abandoned hospital
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - earth-bound spirit, "Ghost Bust", hollow, memory replacer, shinigami, Soul Society

    As Don Kanonji continues to prod the earth-bound spirit's half-open hole with his staff, he says it only hurts at first and the spirit will soon go to heaven. Ichigo and Rukia are stunned. We then see Rukia wearing some spring outfit, possibly at a zoo since there is an enclosed area of plants behind her. There's a small note pointing at her hat saying "Sping will breathe" and a sign behind the bars saying "THE 29th HOSPITAL OVERCURE." As the announcer is making a big deal out of him whipping out his staff so early, Rukia wonders if he really has abilities. Widening the wound in the spirit's chest would only serve to make it turn into a hollow faster. Don Kanonji then says he's going to free it from the chain of nightmares and starts saying gibberish. The rest of the fans are excited at this, thinking he's going to finish it off in one blow. Karin starts covering her ears and looking at the ground because of the noise, while someone else (Uryuu Ishida) considers jumping in to stop him. However, Ichigo beats him to the punch and starts shouting at Don Kanonji to stop, only to be immediately apprehended by security. Everyone that knows Ichigo is stunned. Isshin nearly jumps over the ropes, too, till Yuzu yells at him. The TV people go to commercials while Rukia pulls out her glove to turn him into a shinigami, but gets tackled by security as soon as she jumps over the ropes. However, people at home (Chizuru, Ryou, Misato, and the bullies that attacked Ichigo in chapter 7) still see both Ichigo and Rukia on TV. They seem to be at an impasse because neither Rukia nor Ichigo can throw off the security guards so she can punch out his soul and Ichigo ends up getting punched by a guard when he shouts at Rukia.

    Chad decides to join the fray to help Ichigo out, but it turns out Chad's help isn't necessary, because Urahara shows up and punches Ichigo out of his body using his cane. Ichigo is confused, but doesn't have time to ask questions and rushes off to stop Don Kanonji. Rukia, meanwhile, asks Urahara what he's up to and he denies it. He claims they were there because Ururu and Jinta are big fans of the show and when he heard Rukia's voice came to help. It turns out he has to use a memory replacer on security to avoid unwanted questions and Tessai grabs Rukia and Ichigo's body so they can high-tail it out of there. Rukia is livid that they use Soul Society items so freely, though.

    Meanwhile, Ichigo has reached Don Kanonji and pushed him away from the spirit. Don Kanonji is able to see Ichigo in addition to ghosts, and they start quarrelling when Don Kanonji calls Ichigo one of his fans. Too bad Ichigo was too late - the earth-bound spirit starts shrieking in pain and disappears in a flash of light. Ichigo isn't sure what's going on, but Urahara, still with Ururu and Jinta, looks serious.

    The last page shows Chad beating up a bunch of security, with Keigo running towards him telling him to stop because a bunch of strangers have already rescued Ichigo and Rukia.

    Differences in episode 10:

    • Nothing!
30. Second Contact(it was outside the scope of our understanding)
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 10
    Characters Appearing - Tatsuki Arisawa, Earth-Bound Spirit Hollow, Orihime Inoue, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - abandoned hospital
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - denreishinki, "Ghost Bust", hollow, plus

    This chapter begins with some random kids watching the TV. The boys are playing loudly with robot toys so the girl turns up the TV. Then there's a loud howl from the TV and the boys complain the TV was too loud. The girl, who had been watching "Ghost Bust", wonders what the noise was. For the title page Ichigo is perched on a tree branch, asking a bird "May I Offer You Some Eat?" The bird replies, "No Thanx, Mr."

    The announcer and audience are shocked by the explosion and wonder what happened. But when the smoke clears and the spirit is gone, Don Kanonji gives the all clear shout and they start cheering. It looks like the spirit was taken care of to Ichigo, but he's not certain that's true. Urahara looks a bit depressed, and Rukia looks intense. She whips out her denreishinki as she thinks that when a spirit becomes a hollow it deconstructs and then reconstructs elsewhere. If the plus was wandering, it could reconstruct almost anywhere, but if the plus had its heart caught by something, it reconstructs near that person or object. We then see the hollow reconstructing in the sky. Ichigo is beginning to believe that the spirit was taken care of (and Don Kanonji promise to exorcize him later for no fee) when Rukia shouts that it's above them. They then see the hollow's body reconstructing on top of the hospital. The face comes last and when that's done a white material pours out of its eyes, nose, and mouth to form the hollow's mask.

    Don Kanonji asks what it is, and Ichigo is shocked that he doesn't know. But before he can explain Don Kanonji says monsters are out of his field and when Ichigo says it's a spirit, he announces that he senses the aura of a superbad spirit, the earlier one's boss. Ichigo gives up on trying to explain as the hollow moves in to attack. He's about to tell Kanonji to run, when Kanonji shoves him back and tells him to run. Ichigo only manages to block the attack just in time and fling the hollow back. Then he and Don Kanonji yell simultaneous at the other for not running away. Don Kanonji replies that he can't and won't run, but before he can explain further the hollow attacks again. Ichigo blocks the hollow again, but is clearly seen by Karin and not as clearly seen by Chad and Karin. It's not clear whether or not Orihime can see him at all, let alone clearly, but as Urahara watches he comments that things are just as he thought, which is both wonderful and terrible. He wonders what should be done.

    The last scene shows security guards running at Rukia because she yelled out.

    Differences TV episode 10:

    • Nothing!
31. HEROES CAN SAVE YOU
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 10
    Characters Appearing - Arisawa Tatsuki, Earth-Bound Spirit Hollow, Orihime Inoue, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Yasutora "Chad" Sado, Kisuke Urahara
    Kidou - None
    Locations - abandoned hospital
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - "Ghost Bust", hollow, soul cutter

    This chapter starts with the hollow, Don Kanonji, and Ichigo all screaming as they prepare to do their moves. Ichigo's happened to be tackling Don Kanonji so he doesn't get killed, though, so the hollow crashes into the hospital wall. Kanonji sees this as a golden opportunity, but Ichigo drags him into the hospital by the collar. For the title page, we see Ichigo removing his suit to reveal a superhero suit beneath a la Clark Kent.

    The announcer keeps going on as Rukia watches worriedly. Isshin asks if his daughters are ok before collapsing, but Yuzu is just worried about Ichigo. Karin and Inoue, on the other hand, are both worried about Ichigo, having seen him clearly fighting the hollow. Chad and Tatsuki are confused, while Urahara comments that this is how Ichigo fights.

    Inside the hospital Don Kanonji asks why they're running away. Ichigo replies that Don said to run, and Don replies that he meant Ichigo should run because he can't run. Ichigo then chucks him into a wall and demands an explanation. At first Don Kanonji tries to get Ichigo to answer the same question, but finally answers it's because he's a hero. He then switches topics and points out that 1 out of 4 people are watching his show, most of them small children. They learn courage from watching him stand up to evil spirits. So on TV he can't run from the enemy. He then moves to return outside so he can fight in front of the cameras, but Ichigo quickly stops him saying he can't let his innocent fans get caught in the fight. He then explains the "monster" was a hollow and eats high density souls, like Don Kanonji and him, so if they stay in the hospital it will come to them and they can fight it without hurting innocent bystanders. This impresses Don Kanonji, but he doesn't have much time to admire because the hollow bursts up through the floor.

    Ichigo moves to attack, only to have his soul cutter get stuck in the ceiling because it's too big. The hollow then spits goop onto Ichigo's hands, fixing them to his soul cutter. Having no other choice, Ichigo is about to try to take it down with his legs, when there's a flash of light. Don Kanonji had gotten in front of Ichigo to block the hollow's attack with his staff. Ichigo tells him to run because he can't possibly beat the hollow and he says he knows that, but Ichigo's thoughts were befitting of a hero. He asks Ichigo to be his battle buddy and after Ichigo agrees, he says he'll die protecting Ichigo.

    Outside the audience is thinking that it's not very exciting when they can't see anything. They can, however, hear him because of the microphone.

    Differences in episode 10:

    • Nothing!
32. Hero is Always With Me?
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 10
    Characters Appearing - Tatsuki Arisawa, Earth-Bound Spirit Hollow, Orihime Inoue, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki
    Kidou - None
    Locations - abandoned hospital
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - chain of fate, "Ghost Bust", hollow, soul cutter

    Don Kanonji then uses his ultimate technique: the Kanon Ball. It's basically a marble sized ball of energy. It looks like it's going to hit Ichigo, though, but floats upward to blow up the ceiling where Ichigo's Soul Cutter is caught in ceiling. The hollow then swipes Don Kanonji aside and Ichigo moves in to attack. Don Kanonji willing lets Ichigo take over as he doesn't have to energy to even stand. We then see the title page with Tatsuki and Orihime lying asleep in the grass, listening to the same radio station or maybe CD. For some reason the device allows two pairs of headphones to be used.

    Rather than hitting the hollow's head, Ichigo hit its shoulder because he can't aim as well with his hands stuck. Don Kanonji keeps shouting annoying phrases that are meant to be encouraging, and then the hollow suddenly bursts through the outside wall of the hospital and runs to the roof. Ichigo gets dragged along for the ride because his soul cutter is still stuck in its shoulder. Through the hole in the wall Don Kanonji can see the helicopter with an announcer there and stands, shouting that the bad spirit went to the roof. The helicopter goes to film the roof, while Don Kanonji runs off and starts crawling on his hands and feet to the roof with the last of his strength.

    On the roof Ichigo's soul cutter finally came loose from the hollow's shoulder and they start fighting. Ichigo says he couldn't fight well because he didn't have enough room and had to protect Don Kanonji, but as long as the guy doesn't come to the roof this hollow should be no problem. But then Don Kanonji bursts through the door and the hollow goes after him. Ichigo tells him to run but he says he's using all of his strength to stand. Ichigo asks why he came, but manages to block the hollow's attack and protect Don Kanonji. He then shoves the hollow back and takes a clean swipe of its head. Don Kanonji starts celebrating, but Ichigo tells him to stop. Kanonji doesn't understand why until the hollow's body peels away to reveal the spirit he thought he had dealt with earlier. The spirit then disappears and Ichigo explains that normal spirits have a chain attached to their chest. When a hole is opened in their chests where the chain attaches, the spirit becomes a mindless monster called a hollow. Don Kanonji is shocked and falls to his knees when he realizes everything he's done until now was turning spirits into hollows. Ichigo tells him that since he'd never seen a hollow before he shouldn't feel too bad, and to put away his tears because his fans are waiting. Don Kanonji then hears their cheers and does his trademark laugh and pose, which his fans answer. He then tells Ichigo it was a superb battle and asks him to help with fighting from time to time. Since Kanonji had called him a battle buddy Ichigo agrees and they shake hands. Only afterwards Don Kanonji calls Ichigo his number 1 student and Ichigo is horrified.

    The last page shows a Don Kanonji fan card marked for "My Number One Pupil." Ichigo was forced to take it when he left. Rukia is sympathetic to him.

    Differences in episode 10:

    • Nothing!
33. ROCKIN' FUTURE 7
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 11
    Characters Appearing - Tatsuki Arisawa, Keigo Asano, Orihime Inoue, Uryuu Ishida, Misao "Don" Kanonji, Mizuiro Kojima, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki, Isshin Kurosaki, Karin Kurosaki, Yuzu Kurosaki, Misato Ochi, Yasutora "Chad" Sado
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura High, Kurosaki Clinic
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - shinigami

    This chapter opens with Tatsuki, Keigo, Orihime, Mizuiro, Rukia, Ichigo, and Chad getting told off by a teacher. We then see the chapter title, which has Keigo, Orihime, Tatsuki, Mizuiro, Chad, and Rukia each sitting with one of the letters from the word "Bleach." In the center we have Ichigo running.

    It turns out they're getting yelled at for being shown making trouble on TV nationwide yesterday. He asks if Ichigo has anything to say about the footage and Ichigo responds that it looks like him. When the teacher says it is him, Ichigo says it's his long lost twin brother. Just as the teacher is about to tell him off more for that comment Tatsuki interrupts and says that they had nothing to do with Ichigo being on TV. When the teacher says that they were with Ichigo, she replies that they merely ran into Rukia who had invited the guys to come and that was it. Keigo tries to object that he invited Inoue and Rukia to the show, but Tatsuki says Keigo's prone to delusions. Ichigo's a bit mad at Tatsuki for just saving herself and Orihime, but they go. Keigo tries to leave at the same time, but the teacher won't let him off the hook because he was with Ichigo and didn't try to stop him. But then Rukia interrupts and apologizes, saying she tried to stop Ichigo by raising her voice (which she claims is unlike herself) but Ichigo wouldn't listen. She then starts crying and while the teacher tries to make her feel better, Ichigo and company sneak out the window (despite the principal's and other teacher's presences). By the time he notices, they're dashing away. Rukia takes this opportunity to slip away as well. The teacher then turns to Ochi, their homeroom teacher, who says there was such a fuss over the broadcast that she didn't think it was necessary to punish them. On the other hand the principal asks for a copy of the tape so he can brag to his grandchildren that a student at his school was on TV nationwide. The teacher then throws a fit and breaks a door, which the principal docks from his pay to repair.

    Meanwhile, Ichigo and friends are happily enjoying their escape from punishment, mostly attributed to Rukia, although Ichigo was a bit miffed she was going to sell him out. Rukia denies that, though. Tatsuki says if she had known she'd get in trouble she would have gotten on TV too in the hopes someone would scout out her singing voice, but Keigo says her voice would have been drowned out by the announcer just like Ichigo's was. Ichigo is glad for that, though, because rumors would have been flying everywhere if classmates knew he called Rukia by her first name. Inoue looks a bit depressed, though, and someone (Ichigo?) thinks that they didn't realize it at the time, but that moment is when all of their destinies would change forever.

    Later at the Kurosaki Clinic a stranger who drives a convertable is ringing the doorbell. He's accompanies by two other men. Ichigo answers the door and is horrified to see it's Don Kanonji, wanting to invite his number one pupil for a drive. Ichigo's first reaction is to lock the door and tell Don Kanonji to go away. He has no idea how the guy found him until Don Kanonji says he came here incognito to cheer up Ichigo and even invited one of Ichigo's friends. We then see Rukia happily carrying a ton of bean paste sweets Don Kanonji bought her from the hotel store. Yuzu comes out to tell him to keep the noise down, but comes out screaming when she realizes Don Kanonji is there. Just then Rukia gets orders about a hollow so she and Ichigo sneak off. Karin, who leans out of an upper story window to see what the noise is all about, and sees Ichigo the shinigami and Rukia running off together. As Rukia and Ichigo argue about him being glad there's a hollow so he could get away and her getting all those sweet bean pastries, they pass by Uryuu Ishida, who can obviously see Ichigo. He watches Ichigo run down the street with a frown on his face.

    The last scene shows Don Kanonji and Isshin, who had returned home, trading fashion tips.

    Differences TV episode 11:

    • Nothing!
34. Quincy Archer Hates You
    Corresponding TV Episode - episode 11
    Characters Appearing - Keigo Asano, Uryuu Ishida, Mizuiro Kojima, Rukia Kuchiki, Ichigo Kurosaki
    Kidou - None
    Locations - Karakura, Karakura High
    Released Soul Cutters - None
    Relevant Terminology - denreishinki, hollow, plus, quincy, shinigami, soul burial, Kisuke Urahara

    This chapter opens with a plus crouching in terror as Ichigo complains about a hollow false alarm. Apparently Rukia's denreishinki has been giving a lot of false alarms lately so he wonders if it's broken. They then start arguing about how it's the middle of exams. Ichigo asks if there's another shinigami going around killing the hollows before they get to them. Rukia says that's not possible since shinigami are strictly divided into districts. At this point the plus says he was really scared and moves to hug Ichigo in gratitude, but Ichigo kicks him in the face and says to tell whoever saved him. Rukia tells him to wait up and asks the ghost if there really was a hollow there and that's why he was scared. And if so, who killed the hollow. But then the ghost replies that he was so scared that he closed his eyes and didn't see. When he sees Ichigo's and Rukia's reaction he offers them an anime figure as an apology. Rukia just snaps it off in her hands and Ichigo does a soul burial.

    Meanwhile, Uryuu Ishida is watching them from the top of a tall building. We then see the title page: Ichigo running and where his shadow should be, there's Ishida running instead.

    Next we see Ichigo, Keigo, and Mizuiro just as their last exam finishes. Keigo immediately collapses on his desk, thinking he's dead. Ichigo says exam don't mean much in life so it's better not to worry and Keigo says they'll be friends for life in their idiocy. Mizuiro says he ought to wait till he sees the results before saying that. When Keigo asks what he means, Mizuiro shows him the mid term standings, and Ichigo is ranked 18, with #1 being Uryuu Ishida and #2 being Ryou Kunieda. Keigo is shocked and asked how he got ranked so high. Ichigo responds that he isn't in any clubs so he goes home and studies instead and Keigo accuses him of treachery - turning down all his invitations to go out so he could score well. He then offers Ichigo a pair of nerdy glasses as a present, which Ichigo promptly smashes. While Keigo writhes on the floor in pain, Mizuiro comments that Ichigo is good at studying and he explains that upperclassmen would pick on him and teachers would keep a close eye on him because of his hair color no matter how often he explained it was his natural color. He isn't good tempered enough to not fight back if he gets picked on or rebel if he gets falsely accused so he got tired of things and raised his grades. At least this way the teachers will leave him alone. Keigo pities him a bit for getting discriminated against because of his outward appearance and having such a cold relationships with his teachers, but quickly reverts to his normal manner and offers Ichigo a nerdy headband as a present, which Ichigo promptly cuts with sissors. While Keigo is writhing in pain again, Mizuriro asks him if he's seen Rukia lately. And when Ichigo asks why, is told because they're always together. Ichigo's reply is he doesn't know.

    He then thinks that because of rumors flying all over about them lately, mostly instigated by Mizuiro and Keigo. So, since the TV incident he's been trying to keep his distance from Rukia during school. Rukia, on the other hand, didn't notice the rumors at all. Ichigo thinks the rumors, which had escalated to whether or not he and Rukia had done it, were ridiculous.

    Meanwhile Rukia is on the roof calling her denreishinki ridiculous at the top of her lungs. She was trying to reach Urahara, but he didn't pick up, despite interfering when he's not wanted. She's examining it, wondering whether it's broken or not when it goes off again. The next thing we see is her dashing down the hallway at Ichigo and grabs him. Ichigo yells at her to stop because of the rumors going around about them and she says they'll discuss it later because there's a hollow. On the way down the hallway they again pass Uryuu Ishida.

    Later we see Rukia and Ichigo outside arguing again because there wasn't a hollow yet again. Ishida shows up just after Ichigo returns to his body. He's wearing weird clothes so Ichigo wonders if he's a priest. They're confused that they know their names, and then he suddenly asks if Ichigo can see ghosts. Ichigo starts denying it when Ishida suddenly says there's a new hollow. Moments later Rukia's denreishinki goes off. When Ichigo asks her which direction, Ishida points, and then mocks him for being a shinigami but having such a low level of understanding. You then see a cross-shaped charm swing on a bracelet on his right hand. Suddenly a bow of energy springs from it and he shoots an arrow of energy, which hits the new hollow. After that Rukia's denreishinki orders disappear. Finally he introduces himself as Uryuu Ishida, a and someone who hates shinigami.

    Differences TV episode 11:

    • Nothing!
    Extra: Kon's Profile